Chambers Franklyn Game Review

Saturday Night Round 1 – Women:

The Chambers Franklyn City of Joondalup Wolves opened the 2022 season with a 2021 Grand Final rematch concluding with a road win over reigning champions, Willetton Tigers, 78-66.

The first quarter proved for a fairly even match-up, with both teams shaking off beginning-season nerves. But the Wolves pulled away with a 41-26 lead at half-time topped off by a three-point buzzer beater by Wolves MVP of the night, Neseya Parker-Williams.

Although losing the third quarter, 21-15, the Wolves maintained a comfortable lead the entire second half to solidify their 12-point victory.

The Wolves were heavily dependent on their defence to start with a few easy missed buckets, therefore capitalizing on Willetton’s 17 forced turnovers to their own 8. As the game went on, however, there were lots of promising features to be noted on the offensive end too.

Williams put on a show with 24 points, 9 rebounds and two assists; new American import, Teige Morrell, added 15 points, 10 rebounds and 1 assist; Captain Chelsea Belcher brought the heat from the 3-point line hitting 4/9 to add to her 2 points from the field along with 3 assists.

The exciting features don’t end there; returning veteran, Shani Caldwell contributed 9 points and 5 assists, and rookie player, Hannah Duncan confidently stormed the court with two made 3-pointers to go along with her 6 rebounds for the night. Point guard, Tia Ucich also presented a notable 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 points, and 2 steals.

Willetton were missing two star players to the WNBL Grand Final on Saturday - 2021 NBL1 Grand Final MVP, Alex Sharp, and Best Defensive Player, Emma Gandini. However, the two teams won’t be facing off again this season, unless in the 2022 finals.

Next up, the Wolves NBL1 Women will be facing the Eastern Suns this coming Thursday, 14 April for a 6:30 tip off.

Saturday Night Round 1 – Men:

The Chambers Franklyn City of Joondalup Wolves opened the 2022 season with a road win Saturday night over the Willeton Tigers, 75-66.

The NBL1 men’s game as a whole was a bit of an ugly, low-scoring affair. It stayed a close game throughout the first half, with the Tigers scoring well in transition and Connor Micherton scoring at the buzzer of halftime to cut the game back to a 2-point Wolves lead.

In the first half new Wolves import and MVP of the game, CJ Turnage, led the way in scoring and assists.

The third quarter went Willetton’s way, with Willetton up 10 and rolling with 3 minutes to go in the 3^rd. But the Wolves responded well with Jonathan Wade scoring 8 points in the next 4 possessions – hitting a 3, getting a transition layup, and then hitting another 3 (he finished the game 3/5 60% from 3).

The Wolves continued this momentum into the 4^th quarter, and despite a few huge shots by Andrew Black, the Wolves pulled away. At 4 points up, a series of CJ Turnage passes to Joel Vaiangina, and CJ Turnage scores finished off the game stretching the score to 9 in the end.

Wolves got the win and head into Round 2, 1-0. The men tip-off 8:30 on Thursday, 14 April.